“First of all I would like to thank the Spokesmen here for their massive presence and for interest they have shown during this modest ceremony of sabres award to Greek Officers; it was a great honour for we were not here alone. The Officers’ friends, their relatives and many other people, his Reverence and all the other officials. Semantics here pass one message and one message only, that we are here in the border region of Evros not only to be present here but to be the silent, powerful force which will not allow anyone to make thoughts and question our national sovereignty.”

JOURNALIST: Chief, you are now a Minister.

F. FRANGOS: I am a caretaker Minister for a limited period and I do not think that our country has ever wavered.

JOURNALIST: Mister Minister, as far as the Army’s contribution in the region of Evros is concerned; when you were Chief you started some things.

F. FRAGKOS: I will not refer to what I started when I was Chief. What I know is that we coexist with the inhabitants of the region for several decades now, that we have a successful cooperation and whenever we can offer or produce projects for growth, we do it with all our heart and soul, because you really love us and we need to reciprocate.

JOURNALIST: For the issue of the ditch of Evros in particular, do we have any developments?

F. FRAGkOS: Please allow me not to make any kind of reference to this issue, since it is an operational task.